Nothing Rotten in the State of Denmark Past Review

By Magdelaine D (Psychology & Theatre Studies, Wellesley College) - abroad from 01/18/2015 to 05/18/2015 with

DIS Copenhagen: Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I love Denmark. The thought processes and styles of living are deceivingly different. You'd think that the cultures are similar but actually they have such fundamental differences that I learned a TON

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.	The classes were not an acceptable lever of challenging, but included incredible amounts of busy work.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?	I loved where I lived. I chose an LLC, ended up in arts and culture, in an apartment in the center of the city. The location could not have been better. The opportunities provided by my LLC coordinator were fantastic, and I enjoyed experiences I wouldn't have had on my own.
* Food:	Cooked for myself, but danish food and other european food experiences are SOOO good
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?	Living with all Americans, I struggled to find immersion opportunities, but there are always trade offs
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?	Didn't experience on my own, but apparently danish health care is amazing even for visiting residents.
* Safety:	Copenhagen is so safe, I felt at home very quickly
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget? (1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)	Having saved for years for this semester, I was fine, but Copenhagen is an EXPENSIVE city. the travel opportunities provided by DIS, while amazing, are also expensive.
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	about $500/month, including personal travel
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	don't shop for clothes unless they're slecial and one of a kind pick the cheap grocery stores I only went out to eat once a week, but I made sure I tried to cook myself local foods

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	Yes
How much did the program encourage you to use the language? 0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language	My danish class was great, but because Danes are so private, it was difficult to utilize the language
How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program?	None
How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program?	Beginner
What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure?	0
How many hours per day did you use the language?	0
Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants?	Find Danes to speak with and commit to it

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm Apartment
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	Denmark Impressionism in Paris
* What could be improved?	Academic rigor
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	Make friends with people you actually want to spend time with, not just for convenience

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Impressionism in Paris
Course Department:
Instructor:	Susanna de Cunha Bang
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This class is amazing. It involves a 4 day study opportunity in Paris. The professor is amazing, I absolutely love Susanna, and she is so passionate about the subject. She is also relaxed and makes class fun. She brought us food twice. (:
Credit Transfer Issues: